Innovations Session N°24

Innovation and technology represent a critical frontier for Africa’s agrifood transformation. By embracing digital tools, climate-smart solutions, renewable energy systems, and innovative processing methods, African entrepreneurs are reimagining how food is produced, processed, and marketed. Their efforts are not only improving productivity and resilience but also creating new opportunities for value addition and more lucrative local and regional markets. Unlocking this potential, however, requires more than entrepreneurial drive. It depends on enabling ecosystems that reduce barriers to adoption, expand access to finance, build digital and technical skills, and foster supportive policy and infrastructure. Without these, many promising solutions remain pilots or concentrated in limited regions, unable to scale or achieve long-term impact.

Entrepreneurs leading the way demonstrate that inclusive, context-specific innovations can tackle structural challenges, from post-harvest losses to low productivity, while also generating jobs and income for women and youth. Their innovations are reshaping Africa’s food systems to be more sustainable, competitive, and climate-resilient. To fully harness these opportunities, targeted investments, capacity building, and collaborative partnerships are essential. With the right support, innovation and technology adoption can become powerful levers for transforming Africa’s agrifood sector and driving inclusive economic growth across the continent.